Probate Fees Ireland 2026: Probate Office Costs Explained

Updated 14 August 2026 using the current Courts Service fee schedule.

If you are trying to work out how much probate costs in Ireland, start by separating the Probate Office application fee from solicitor fees, valuations, tax and the other costs involved in administering an estate.

There is no single flat €500 Probate Office fee. The official application fee is based on the net value of the estate and also depends on whether the application is made by a solicitor or as a personal application without a solicitor.

The table below reflects the current fees published by the Courts Service of Ireland.

Probate fees in Ireland for 2026

Why is the personal application fee higher? Under the current court fee schedule, a grant sought by personal application attracts double the corresponding fee that would apply to an application made through a solicitor.

Probate fee examples

These examples show the Probate Office application fee only. They do not include solicitor fees, tax or other estate-administration costs.

• Estate valued at €80,000: €100 where a solicitor makes the application, or €200 for a personal application.
• Estate valued at €300,000: €350 where a solicitor makes the application, or €700 for a personal application.
• Estate valued at €600,000: €500 where a solicitor makes the application, or €1,000 for a personal application.
• Estate valued at €1.2 million: €1,050 where a solicitor makes the application, or €2,100 for a personal application. The amount above €1 million counts as a €500,000 band, or part of one.

What does the Probate Office fee actually cover?

The application fee is the court-office fee connected with seeking the grant of representation. Depending on the circumstances, that may be a Grant of Probate where there is a valid will and an executor is applying, or another type of grant where the estate is intestate or the named executor cannot act.

It is not the total cost of administering the estate.

If you want the wider process explained, see our guide to the Irish probate process. For timing, see how long probate takes in Ireland in 2026.

What other probate costs can arise?

Solicitor fees

If a solicitor handles the probate application or wider administration of the estate, their professional fee is separate from the Probate Office filing fee.

There is no single statutory solicitor charge that applies to every estate. The work can vary substantially depending on the number and type of assets, beneficiaries, property sales, tax issues, disputes, foreign assets and the amount of administration required.

Ask for a clear written explanation of how the solicitor's fee will be calculated and what work is included. When comparing quotes, check whether the quoted professional fee includes or excludes VAT, Probate Office fees, valuation costs and other outlays.

Valuation and professional costs

An estate may require professional valuations for property, businesses, shares, valuable personal property or other assets. These are separate from the Probate Office application charge.

Tax

Probate fees are not the same thing as inheritance tax. Tax treatment depends on the estate, the assets involved and the beneficiaries. Capital Acquisitions Tax and other tax issues can arise independently of the fee paid to the Probate Office. Where tax exposure is material or uncertain, obtain tax or legal advice rather than relying on a generic probate-cost estimate.

Other court-office charges

The Probate Office also charges separately for certain services such as official copies, caveats, warnings and searches. These are not automatically payable in every estate. The safest source for the current amounts is the Courts Service probate fees page, which should be checked when an application is being prepared.

Can you apply for probate yourself in Ireland?

In some estates, an executor or other appropriate applicant can make a personal application rather than instructing a solicitor to make the application.

That does not mean every estate is suitable for a personal application. The Courts Service states that legal advice is not provided during a personal applicant appointment and that, if the Probate Office considers the case requires advice from a solicitor, the applicant may be asked to withdraw the personal application and seek legal assistance.

Personal applications therefore make most sense where the estate and the legal position are sufficiently straightforward for the applicant to deal with the process confidently.

Is DIY probate always cheaper?

No. A personal applicant avoids a solicitor's professional fee for work they do themselves, but the official Probate Office application fee for a personal application is double the equivalent solicitor-application court fee.

That does not mean using a solicitor is automatically cheaper overall either. The comparison depends on the solicitor's professional fee, the complexity of the estate and how much work the applicant would otherwise need to do personally.

The useful comparison is therefore:

• official Probate Office fee;
• solicitor or other professional fees;
• valuation and administrative outlays;
• tax, where applicable; and
• the complexity and time involved in dealing with the estate.

How long does probate take in Ireland?

The fee does not determine the processing time. Probate timelines vary according to the office handling the application, current workload, the type of application and whether the papers are complete and correct.

The Courts Service publishes current processing information for the Dublin Probate Office and updates it periodically. Rather than relying on an old estimate, check the current official position and our regularly updated probate timeline guide.

Frequently asked questions about probate fees

How much is probate in Ireland?

There is no single amount. For a primary grant, the Probate Office application fee currently starts at €100 for a solicitor application on an estate worth up to €100,000 and €200 for the equivalent personal application. The fee rises with the net estate value.

Is there a fixed €500 probate fee in Ireland?

No. €500 is one point on the current solicitor-application fee scale, applying where the net estate value is above €500,000 and does not exceed €750,000. It is not a universal probate charge.

What are Probate Office fees in Ireland?

They are official court-office charges associated with applications for grants of representation and related probate services. They are separate from a solicitor's professional fee and separate from tax.

Are personal probate applications free?

No. Personal applications carry an official filing fee. Under the current schedule, that fee is double the corresponding application fee where the grant is not sought by personal application.

Do solicitor probate fees include the Probate Office fee?

Not necessarily. A solicitor's quote may show professional fees and outlays separately. Ask for the quote to identify the professional charge, VAT where applicable, court fees and any other expected outlays.

Are probate fees the same as inheritance tax?

No. Probate Office fees are court-office application charges. Inheritance tax is a separate tax matter and depends on the particular inheritance and beneficiary.

Where should I check the latest probate fees?

Use the official Courts Service probate fees page. Court fees can change, so a current official source is preferable to an old article or a cached fee table.

Planning ahead can make administration easier

Probate is usually something families encounter at an already difficult time. A clear, properly executed will cannot remove every administrative step, but it can make it much clearer who is responsible for the estate and how the estate is intended to be distributed.

If you are planning your own affairs rather than administering an existing estate, read our step-by-step guide to making a will in Ireland or choose the Irish will template that matches your circumstances.

Important: This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Probate Office fees shown were checked against the Courts Service fee schedule on 14 August 2026. Fees and procedures can change, and individual estates may involve additional costs or legal issues.